Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Paramount Chief of the Osu Traditional Area has called on Ghanaians to register on to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to access free healthcare.

He noted that the NHIS which was the initiative of government was meant to provide free medical care to every Ghanaian and must not go to waste.

Nii Dowuona made the call when the St. James Catholic Church held free medical screening for the people of Osu and its environs on Saturday.

He said it was only when healthy people that could contribute to the development of the nation.‘The NHIS is here to provide free medical care for everyone and that we must take the advantage and register to cushion the burden of our healthcare we always go through’, Nii Dowuona said.

He urged Ghanaians to refrain from self-medication which he said had contributed to lost of many lives and commended the church for their initiative and the support for the community and urged them to add counselling and go on medical outreach in other communities.

Mr Benjamin Kotey Nikoi, Assemblyman for Osudoku Electoral Area, also commended the church and gave the assurance that he would work hand in hand with the church to ensure the development of the community.

Mrs Ama Gaisie, Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council said it was the policy of the church to support the community in which it operated and the church apart from providing the spiritual needs of the people, also provide the physical needs as well.

Mrs Gaise expressed the hope that the church would continue to support the community in the ensuing years.